The Washington critic., 1887-09-10
WASHINGTON, SEPT 10, 1887.
THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE AND
tTg nNJEgrs


rHE CITIZENS COMMITTEE AND
ITS OBJECrs.
The Citizens Committee OF One
Hundred, as will readily appear from
the proceedings Of Its first business
meeting, and as might be inferred from
the high character Of IT'S membership,
has started out with an evident deter
mination to promote the public inter.
.s,s of the District.
As TIE CmrIC understands the oh.
ject of its organization, this COM
mittee Is not instituted to antagonizc
the Commissioners to find fault with
whatever Is done at the District Build.
ings and keep up a perpetual quarrel
and misunderstanding between the
people and the District authorities, but
to co operate In every way possible with
those having official charge of affairs,
make known to them in II responsible
way the drift of public sentiment rela.
tive TO matters In which our citizens
have an immediate interest, and, at the
same time, iuterpose wholesome
check 10 what may be considered
errors of policy and judgment
II is rather to avoid, than to provoke,
unpleasant and factious conflicts, that
this representative organization is
established. Only such body can
speak authoritativcly for the inhabI.
tants of the National Capital, and that
they will speak wisely and well, we en-.
tertain no doubt.
Pursuing the conservative, advisory
policy thus foreshadowed, the COM
mittee cannot fail TO become of great
assistance both to the Commissioners
and to Congress,
To pursue any other course would be
fatal and is scarcely conceivable.
A failure OF the new movement,
either through neglect or misapprehen-
sion of the duties devolving upon the
committee, or through the assumption
of arbitrary powers, would not only
place the members of the committee i1
most unenviable light before the
country, but show them to be ignorant
OF the very first principles of the self
government which they are so laudably
ambitious to assert. and prove, It nigh
be, disastrously ruinous to our hopes Of
advantageous legislation.
We may rest assured that the com
mittee Is not desirous OF committing
suicide. Its property interests are al
here, Its heart Is in the work whict
has been laid out for it to do; 1t car
have no motive other than to secure al
available benefits for the people Will
whom they are closely identified, ant
to establish upon the safest foundation
the direction and management of theil
local affairs.
Having this confidence In the com
mittee, THE CRITIC has corresponding
faith in the success of its undertake
ings.
THE International Medical Congress
came TO a close this morning after ses
sion that there is every reason to be
lieve has been of valuable service t,
medical science, and at the same tim
fruitful of interest and enjoyment t
The visiting delegates. They have see
the National Capital In one of her mos
captivating moods, so far as weather
concerned, and have been the reciE
tents Of hospitality no less SINGER
than prOfuso II -. lac. I.-a -
far unpleasant exceptions to the even flo
Lb of their entertainment, they can be 81
down to circumstances over whic
human judgment In such contingencit
has never complete control. We ma
rest assured that nothing las occurre
which will cause our distinguishe
guests TO treasure up anything but th
kindest and most grateful feeling
towards their hospltable hosts.
1t Is not an easy matter to provld
for three thousand strangers withor
an occasional error or oversight In tn
arrangements, but errors and ovei
sights on this occasion have been fe'
and far between. 1t Is no disparagC
ment to the ability and intelligence o
The committees in charge that som
complaint has been made. 1t is rathc
compliment to their intelligence an
ability that complaints have been S
few, and even Of these few such
large proportion unfounded.
One and all, the members of tn
Committee Of Arrangements hav
labored untirnuly and faithfully NJ
alone to make this Congress notable
medical annals, but to make 1t worth
OF the National Capital and favorabl
impress the delegates, especially tho;
from abroad, with the courtesy au
good fellowship Of our people, In tn
they have achieved an admirable SUI
cess and entitled themselves to lasllr
gratitude and honor on the part OF Ii
citizens of Washington.
Tup TTouston Past snpotinu of II